Suction cleaner



5, 1969 K. G. GRELLSSON 3,458,891.

- sue-non CLEANER Filed July 19, 1967 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffli/ 37 6'6 f5 5/4 f/ INVENTOR. F G 3 k l MM Aug. 5, 1969 K. a. GRELLSSON 4 3,458,891

SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 19, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N 1Q? P Q m I Q N w i b Q1 1 I JNVENTOR.

[ M MM v j 1 I a? Q. x Q M ATTORNEY 5, 1969 K. s. GRELLSSON 3,458,891

SUCTION CLEANER Filed July 19, 1967 r a Sheets-Sheet s s 554 INVENTOR. W I.\

United States Patent M US. Cl. 15-327 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A tank-type suction cleaner having an elongated casing is normally positioned horizontally on a surface and provided with a motor-fan unit for moving air in a path of fiow between an air inlet and an air outlet. The bottom of the casing intermediate the ends thereof is provided with an imperforate transverse partition and an air discharge opening adjacent thereto. Air flowing in the casing from the air inlet at a first end of the casing is directed therefrom by the partition and passes exteriorly of the casing through the air discharge opening into an air duct which is at the bottom of the casing. The air duct extends lengthwise of and exteriorly of the casing to the second opposite end thereof at which region air is discharged upward from the duct into a vertically extending diffusion chamber of an air filter having at least one wall formed of airpermeable material which has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the air discharge opening and functions to remove fine dust particles from air and discharge air from the difiusion chamber in a direction from the surface.

Brief summary of the invention In accordance with this invention an improved suction cleaner is provided in which air is drawn into the cleaner at an air inlet at a first end of an elongated casing, and, after flowing therethrough, is discharged through an opening which is intermediate the ends of the casing and at the bottom thereof and then flows through an air duct to a fine air filter at the second opposite end of the casing which serves as the air outlet and from which filtered air is directed from the casing without disturbing settled dust at the vicinity of the cleaner.

This is accomplished by providing an air duct at the bottom of the casing which by-passes components of the suction cleaner at the second opposite end of the casing, such as a cord reel, for example, and makes possible a compact arrangement of parts in which the fine air filter is disposed at the second opposite end of the casing and arranged to receive air from the outlet end of the duct extending lengthwise of the casing at the bottom thereof.

The fine air filter is vertically positioned at the second opposite end of the casing and has an upright diffusion chamber into which air flows upward from the outlet end of the air duct. At least one wall of the filter is formed of air-permeable material which has a cross-sectional area greater than that of the air discharge opening at the bottom of the casing and functions to remove fine dust particles from air.

The wall formed of air-permeable material may be inclined at an acute angle to the vertical in a direction from 3,458,891 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 the opposite second end of the casing. With this arrangement air moving upward in the upright diffusion chamber will impinge the inclined wall directly without any loss of velocity and will be deflected in an upward direction toward the second opposite end of the casing, thereby reducing the likelihood that air discharged from the filter will disturb settled dust at the vicinity of the cleaner.

The air duct may be L-shaped with its horizontal arm at the bottom of the casing and its vertical arm at the opposite second end of the casing. The top of the casing may be provided With a projecting ledge which overhangs the end wall of the casing at its second opposite end. The air filter may comprise a frame formed of resilient material like plastic, for example, which can be detachably mounted in an upright position on the suction cleaner with the bottom inlet end of the filter connected to receive air from the upper end of the vertical arm of the air duct and the top part of the resilient frame yieldingly held against the underside of the projecting ledge.

The air duct comprises a plurality of duct sections which are telescopically connected together. The casing includes an end cover at the second opposite end thereof to which an L-shaped duct section is fixed. The other duct section or sections at the bottom of the casing are detachably held together and against an end of the L-shaped duct section by a locking device at the vicinity of the duct section into which air initially flows through the discharge opening at the bottom of the casing. The locking device may comprise a tight wire which extends across the casing and is resilient in character and arranged to extend through and frictionally fit in a recessed portion of the duct section arranged to receive air from the air discharge opening.

Brief description of the several views of the drawing In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a suction cleaner embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of the cleaner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the suction cleaner shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 to illustrate details more clearly; I

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken at line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Detailed description Referring to the drawing, the invention has been shown in connection with a horizontal tank-type suction cleaner 10 including a casing 11 having a top 12, bottom 14 and vertically extending side walls 15. The casing is provided with a handle 16 and with wheels 17 and 18 to facilitate movement thereof on a supporting surface, the wheels 17 being at opposite sides of the casing and the single wheel or roller 18 at the front end of the casing being disposed between the side walls 15 of the cleaner in a recessed part in the bottom 14.

A front end cover 19 is removably secured in any suitable manner (not shown) to the casing 11 and formed with an inlet opening 20 to which a suction hose (not shown) is adapted to be removably connected. Suitable cleaning appliances may be connected to the outer free end of the suction hose and through which air flows into the casing. Within the casing 11 is provided a perforated partition 21, at one side of which is disposed a removable dust collector or dust bag 22 which acts to separate dust from air as it flows therethrough.

Flow of air through casing 11 is effected by a motorfan unit 23 which includes a centrifugal fan 24 carried at one end of an electric motor 25. The motor-fan unit 23 is suspended in casing 11 by structure 26 which provides a resilient mounting for the motor-fan unit and a seal between spaces 27 and 28 in the casing, the inner and outer peripheries of the suspension structure being respectively fixed to the motor-fan unit 23 and an inwardly extending flange 29 of the casing.

A switch 30 is located at the top of a rear hood or end cover 31 which is removably secured in an suitable manner (not shown) to the casing 11. The switch 30 is provided with an actuating button 30a which extends upward through an opening in the end cover 31 and is accessible at the exterior of the casing 11. The rear end cover 31 includes an imperforate end Wall 3111. A cord reel 32, which is provided within the rear end cover 31,

is journaled therein at 33 and 34, respectively, the cord reel being journaled at 34 by suitable structure including a bracket 36 mounted at 37 to the end wall 31a of the rear end cover 31. The cord 35 wound on the cord reel 32 is adapted to pass through an opening (not shown) in the side wall of the rear end cover 31. The cord 35 and switch form parts of an electrical circuit (not shown) for respectively connecting and disconnecting the motor 25 to and from a source of electrical energy in any manner well known in the art.

When the suction cleaner 10 is being operated and the fan 24 driven by the motor 25, dust-laden air is drawn through the suction hose into the interior of the casing 11. Dust collects in the bag 22, and air from which dust has been removed passes through the dust bag and perforated partition 21 into the space 27. Air in the space 27 flows into the inlet 24' of the fan 24 from which it is discharged and flows through the shell of the motor 25 to effect cooling thereof, such air passing from the motor at end openings 25a thereof into the space 28 defined in part by the suspension structure 26 which bridges the gap between the motor-fan unit 23 and the flange 29 and is also defined in part by a transverse partition 38 which is impervious to air and fixed at its periphery to the casing 11 at 38a.

In accordance with this invention air in the space 28 is discharged therefrom through an opening 39 in the bottom 14 of casing 11 and flows lengthwise thereof beneath the bottom 14 through a passageway 40 into a diffusing chamber 41 of a fine filter 42 mounted on the cleaner adjacent to the outer surface of the end wall 31a of the rear end cover 31. The fine filter 42 comprises two sheets 43 and 44 of air-permeable material which are spaced apart and have their peripheral edge portions fixed to a reinforcing frame 45 of rectangular form, as best shown in FIG. 4. The frame 45 is formed to provide an air inlet opening 46 at the bottom of the filter 42. The sheets 43 and 44 may comprise material such as cloth, paper or the like, for example, which is formed of fibrous material and is permeable to air and impregnated or bonded with a plastic like polyacrylonitrile butadienestyrene, for example. The filter frame 45 also ma he formed of a plastic like polyacrylonitrile butadienestyrene, for example. When a plastic of this type is employed to provide the member or frame 45, it may be formed by compression molding in suitable dies in which the sheets 43 and 44 are positioned, whereby the sheets .4 and frame 45 become an integral structure with the sheets and frames bonded to one another.

The passageway 40 is L-shaped and includes a horizontal portion or arm at the bottom of the casing 11 and a vertical portion or arm which is at the rear end of the cleaner and has its upper end 47 formed to provide an internal recessed portion 48 which can receive and hold a projecting lip 49' for-med at the bottom of the filter frame 45, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The handle 16 forms part of an elongated member 48 at the top 12 of the casing 11. The member 48 is fixed to the casing 11 in any suitable manner after the rear end cover 31 is removably secured to the end of the casing. The member 48 is formed with an opening through which the top of the rear end cover 31 can project upward so that the member 30a for operating the switch 30 will be accessible. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the member 48 is formed with a projecting ledge 48a. When the cleaner 10 is moved to an upright position to clean or change the dust bag 22 at the front end cover 19, the cleaner can be supported in a stable vertical position on the ledge 48a and the wheels 17 without injuring or damaging the fine filter 42.

A boss or projection 49 is provided at the underside of the ledge 48a to receive and hold the top of the filter frame 45 when the bottom thereof is placed in its hold position at the upper end 47 of the passageway 40. This can be readily effected when the filter frame 45 is formed of plastic and is resilient and distortable in character, the filter frame under these conditions being yieldingly held in place when the top part thereof is moved against the pro ection.

The fine filter 42 serves to remove fine dust particles from air passing through the opening 39. The air-permeable filter 42 preferably is micro-porous in character and also serves as a diffuser. The fine filter 42 is mounted in an upright or vertical position at the end of the cleaner at a region which is adjacent to the outer surface of the closed end 31a of the rear end cover, the filter being removed a substantial vertical distance from the bottom 14 of the casing with the bottom of the filter 42 being at a level above the tops of the wheels 17. During normal operation of the cleaner 10 air is discharged through the opening 39 at a relatively high velocity. The filter 42 has an overall cross-sectional area that is materially greater than that of the air discharge opening 39, so that the air will be subdivided into a multiplicity of tiny air streams which are discharged from the outer surfaces of the filter 42 over their entire area which is sufficient to reduce the velocity of the air discharged from the cleaner and reduce the likelihood of disturbing settled dust at the vicinity of the cleaner.

While air flowing upward in the passageway 40 can pass through both sheets 43 and 44 of the filter 42, it will be evident from FIG. 3 that the filter sheet 44, which is inclined at an acute angle from the vertical toward the upright filter sheet 43, will be in the upward path of flow of air passing into the diffusing chamber 41. With this arrangement air moving upward in the upright diffusion chamber 41 will impinge the inclined wall 44 without loss of velocity and will be deflected in an upward direction toward the closed end wall 31a of the rear end cover 31. The air passing into the gap 50 between the end wall 31a of the end cover 31 and the filter sheet 44 will flow upward in the gap and be deflected upward and clear of the cleaner 10 at the upper curved end 31a of the closed end 31a of the end cover 31. With this arrangement air will be discharged from the casing 11 without distrubing settled dust at the vicinity of the cleaner.

The passageway 40 extending between the opening 39 at the bottom 14 of the casing 11 and the filter 42 at rear 4 end wall 31a comprises a duct having three sections 51,

section 51 has an opening 51a formed with a flange 515 which extends upward into the opening 39 at the bottom 14 of the casing 11. As seen in FIG. 1, the duct section 51 is disposed between longitudinal reinforcing members 54 which are at the bottom 14 of the casing 11 and extend lengthwise of the cleaner at the side walls 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a tight wire 55, which is resilient in character, extends between the longitudinal members 54. When the duct section 51 is in communication with the space 28 and positioned against the bottom 14 of the casing 11 in the manner just described and shown in FIG. 3, the wire 55 is held in a groove 510 at the left end of the duct section 51. The end Wall 51d of the duct section 51 is inclined to the vertical so that, when the duct sections 51, 52 and 53 are assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 3, the wire can be moved down the inclined end wall 51d until it reaches the groove 510, at which time the wire will snap into place in the groove.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left end of the duct section 52 telescopically fits in the right end of duct section 51 at 56. The opposite right end of the duct section 52 telescopically fits in the lower end of the duct section 53, as indicated at 57 in FIG. 6. With the duct sections 51, 52 and 53 connected to one another in the manner just described, it will be evident that wire 55 will function to hold the duct sections in airtight sealing relation with one another.

The duct section 53 is formed by the rear end cover 31 and an L-shaped part 53a which is carried by the rear end cover 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the wheels 17 are journaled on the ends of a shaft 58 which extends across the casing 11 at the opposite sides of the passageway 40. The rear end cover 31 is provided with walls 59 having semi-circular openings 60. The L-shaped duct section part 53a, at opposite sides of the passageway 40, is formed with walls 61 having semi-circular openings 62. The duct section part 53:: also is formed with bosses 63 having threaded openings 64 therein which receive tightening screws 65 passing through openings 66 in the walls 59 of the rear end cover 31. With this construction the screws 65 function to fix the duct section part 53a to the rear end cover 31, the semi-circular openings 6% and 62 in the rear end cover 31 and duct section part 53a, respectively, serving to clamp and hold the shaft 58 between these parts. Since the duct section part 53a is carried by the rear end cover 31 in the manner just described, it will be understood that the taut wire 55 may be referred to as locking means for detachably locking the duct sections 51 and 52 together and holding these duct sections against the lower end of the duct section 53.

A suction cleaner accessory is often detachably connected to the air discharge opening 39 in the bottom wall 14 of the cleaner. The accessory may be a hose or spraying device which is connected to one end of the hose, the opposite end of which is connected to the air discharge opening 39. The end of the hose (not shown) may be provided with a suitable fitting adapted to be connected to a part 67 of a bayonet-type connection provided at the air discharge opening 39, as shown in FIG. 3. The part 67 is held in place by a ring-shaped fitting 68 which is of zig-zag shape in section and disposed about the bottom 14 of the casing 11 at the opening 39. A gap of annular form between the part 67 and fitting 68 defines a ring-shaped groove 69 which receives the flange 51]) formed at the opening 51a of the duct section 51. A sealing ring 7t? is provided in the groove 69 to form an airtight seal when the duct section 51 is held against the bottom 14 of the casing 11 at the discharge opening 39.

When the duct section 51 is removed from the bottom of the casing 11 by removing the taut wire 55 from the groove 510 of the duct section, a hose having a suitable fitting at the end thereof may be connected to the casing 11 at the air discharge opening 39, such fitting being of a type which cooperates with the bayonet-type part 67. When there no longer is any need to use the hose, it can be removed from the bottom of the casing 11, and, after being disconnected from the air discharge opening 39, the duct section 51 again can be positioned at the bottom 14 of the casing 11 and connected to the other duct sections 52 and 53 at 56 and 57, respectively, and locked in place by the taut Wire 55.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tank-type suction cleaner having, in combination,

(a) structure which normally is horizontally disposed and provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and has a path of flow for air therebetween,

(b) means in said structure for moving air in said path of flow from the inlet to the outlet,

(c) means for supporting said structure for movement on a surface with the bottom of said structure spaced from the surface,

(d) said structure including an elongated spacing and means defining an air duct disposed exteriorly of said casing at the bottom thereof,

(e) said ar inlet bing disposed at a first end of said casing,

(f) said casing having an imperforate transverse partition disposed between its first end and its second opposite end and an air discharge opening at the bottom thereof between its first end and said parttion and nearer to the latter and through which air is discharged exteriorly of said casing, said air duct means having an inlet to receive air discharged exteriorly of said casing through said air discharge opening,

(g) said air duct means extending lengthwise of and exteriorly of said casing at the bottom thereof from said air discharge opening to the second opposite end of said casing and having an outlet for air at the second opposite end of said casing,

(h) filter means at the second opposite end of said casing defining a vertically extending chamber having an inlet for air at the bottom thereof,

(i) means connecting the bottom inlet end of said filter means to the outlet of said air duct means for flowing air upward in said chamber, said chamber having at least one wall formed of air-permeable material,

(j) said air-permeable material having a cross-sectional area greater than that of said air discharge opening at the bottom of said casing and functioning as a diffusion chamber, and

(k) said air-permeable material being vertically disposed at the second opposite end of said casing and functioning to remove fine dust particles from air passing therethrough and discharging air from said chamber in a direction from the surface which avoids disturbing settled dust at the immediate vicinity of the cleaner.

2. In a tank-type suction cleaner having, in combination,

(a) structure which normally is horizontally disposed and provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and has a path of flow for air therebetween,

(b) means in said structure for moving air in said path of flow from the inlet to the outlet,

(c) means for supporting said structure for movement on a surface with the bottom of said structure spaced from the surface,

(d) said structure including an elongated casing and an air duct at the bottom of said casing,

(e) said air inlet being disposed at a first end of said casing,

(f) the bottom of said casing having an air discharge opening intermediate the ends thereof and said air duct having an inlet for air which is in communication with said casing at said air discharge opening,

(g) said air duct extending lengthwise of said casing at the bottom thereof from said air discharge opening to the second opposite end of said casing and having an outlet for air at the second opposite end of said casing,

(h) filter means at the second opposite end of said casing defining a vertically extending chamber having an inlet for air at the bottom thereof,

(i) means connecting the bottom inlet end of said filter means to the outlet of said air duct for flowing air upward in said chamber, said chamber having at least one wall formed of air-permeable material,

(j) said air-permeable material having a cross-sectional area greater than that of said air discharge opening at the bottom of said casing and functioning as a diffusion chamber,

(k) said air-permeable material being vertically disposed at the second opposite end of said casing and functioning to remove fine dust particles from air passing therethrough and discharging air from said chamber in a direction from the surface which avoids disturbing settled dust at the immediate vicinity of the cleaner,

(1) said means for connecting the bottom inlet end of said filter means to the outlet of said air duct means providing a loose connection therebetween,

(m) means at the upper part of the second opposite end of said casing for detachably holding said filter means in an upright position,

(11) said filter means comprising a frame which is resilient in character and a pair of walls having their peripheral edge portions fixed to said frame, at least one of said walls being formed of said air-permeable material,

() said means at the upper part of the second opposite end of said casing for detachably holding said filter means including a member projecting from the top of said casing beyond the second opposite end there.- of, and

(p) said member including a part for holding the top of said frame.

3. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 2 in which said projecting member and said supporting means for said structure function to support the cleaner in a stable upright position on the surface with said filter means vertically removed from and protected from the surface.

4. In a tank-type suction cleaner having, in combination,

(a) structure which normally is horizontally disposed and provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and has a path of flow for air therebetween,

(b) means in said structure for moving air in said path of flow from the inlet to the outlet,

(0) means for supporting said structure for movement on a surface with the bottom of said structure spaced from the surface,

(d) said structure including an elongated casing and an air duct at the bottom of said casing,

(e) said air inlet being disposed at a first end of said casing,

(f) the bottom of said casing having an air discharge opening intermediate the ends thereof and said air duct having an inlet for air which is in communication with said casing at said air discharge opening,

(g) said air duct extending lengthwise of said casing at the bottom thereof from said air discharge opening to the second opposite end of said casing and having an outlet for air at the second opposite end of said casing,

(h) filter means at the second opposite end of said casing defining a vertically extending chamber having an inlet for air at the bottom thereof,

(i) means connecting the bottom inlet end of said filter means to the outlet of said air duct for flowing air upward in said chamber, said chamber having at least one wall formed of air-permeable material,

(3') said air-permeable material having a cross-sectional area greater than that of said air discharge opening at the bottom of said casing and functioning as a diffusion chamber,

(k) said air-permeable material being vertically disposed at the second opposite end of said casing and functioning to remove fine dust particles from air passing therethrough and discharging air from said chamber in a direction from the surface which avoids disturbing settled dust at the immediate vicinity of the cleaner,

(1) said filter means comprising first and second vertically extending walls defining said chamber, said first wall being nearer to the second opposite end of said casing than said second wall, and

(m) at least said first wall being formed of said airpermeable material and inclined to the vertical in a direction from the second opposite end of said casing.

5. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 4 in which the second opposite end of said casing comprises a wall having an outer surface that is substantially vertical, and said first wall which is formed of said air-permeable material and is inclined to the vertical being nearer to said outer surface at one level than at a second higher level.

6. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5 in which the outer surface of said wall at the second opposite end of said casing extends above the top of said filter means, and the upper part of said outer surface being curved and extending over the top of said filter means and forming a roof for the latter.

7. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 4 in which said second wall is formed of said air-permeable material and is substantially vertical when said filter means is connected to the outlet of said duct by said connecting means.

8. In a tank-type suction cleaner having, in combination,

(a) structure which normally is horizontally disposed and provided with an air inlet and an air outlet and has a path of flow for air therebetween,

(b) means in said structure for moving air in said path of flow from the inlet to the outlet,

(c) means for supporting said structure for movement on a suface with the bottom of said structure spaced from the surface,

(d) said structure including an elongated casing and an air duct at the bottom of said casing,

(c) said air inlet being disposed at a first end of said casing,

(f) the bottom of said casing having an air discharge opening intermediate the ends thereof and said air duct having an inlet for air which is in communication with said casing at said air discharge opening,

(g) said air duct extending lengthwise of said casing at the bottom thereof from said air discharge opening to the second opposite end of said casing and having an outlet for air at the second opposite end of said casing,

(h) filter means at the second opposite end of said casing defining a vertically extending chamber having an inlet for air at the bottom thereof,

(i) means connecting the bottom inlet end of said filter means to the outlet of said air duct for flowing air upward in said chamber, said chamber having at least one wall formed of air-permeable material,

(j) said air-permeable material having a cross-sectional area greater than that of said air discharge opening at the bottom of said casing and functioning as a diffusion chamber,

(k) said air-permeable material being vertically disposed at the second opposite end of said casing and functioning to remove fine dust particles from air passing therethrough and discharging air from said chamber in a direction from the surface which avoids disturbing settled dust at hte immediate vicinity of said resilient locking member comprises an elongated taut the cleaner, resilient element, means for mounting said element at (1) said air duct including a section, the bottom of said casing, and said duct section being (In) means for removably connecting said section to recessed to receive said element for connecting said seethe bottom of said casing, 5 tion to the bottom of said casing. (11) said section being in communication with said casing and directly beneath said air discharge open- References Cited and UNITED STATES PATENTS (0) means at said air discharge opening for detachably connecting a fitting at the end of a hose when 10 g i i gg et said duct section is removed from the bottom of said casing 3,172,743 3/1965 Kowalewski 55-472 X 9. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 8 in which said means for removably connecting said duct section ROBERT MICHELL Pnmary Examiner to the bottom of said casing comprises a resilient locking 15 C X-R- member. 23'

10. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 9 in which 15 3 55 467 

